Dr. Nichole Cauwels was born and raised right here in Sioux Falls. After graduating from Washington High School, she moved to Lincoln, Nebraska to begin her college education. She graduated, with honors, from the UNMC College of Dentistry in 2000. She furthered her education by completing a Dental Residency Program at Meriter Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin, where she gained a tremendous amount of experience in all of the areas of specialty dentistry. She was asked to stay on and teach at the program while starting her career in a cosmetic practice.

After the birth of her second daughter, Dr. Cauwels wanted to move closer to home. She spent a couple of years in the Dakota Dunes area before opening her own practice on the west side of Sioux Falls. Dr. Cauwels has continued to improve her skill and knowledge through hundreds of hours of continuing education courses all over the United States.
When designing her own office, Dr. Cauwels made every decision based on making the dental experience as comfortable as possible

• Member of the ADA
• Member of the South Dakota Dental Association
  
• Member of the Academy of General Dentistry
  
• Member of the Sioux City Dental Society
  
• Former member of the WI Dental Association
• Former member of the Association of Hospital Dentists
  
• Former member of Siouxland Professional Women’s Network

In her spare time, Dr. Cauwels enjoys traveling with her husband Tom and 2 daughters, Andrea and Cassidy. The family loves animals and has assembled quite the petting zoo. They have everything on the farm from calves to chickens, and a tortoise and some parrots too!

Dr. Kendra Zuercher is originally from Pierre, South Dakota, where she graduated from Riggs High School. After graduation, she furthered her education at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, studying biology and was a member of the synchronized swimming team. Following her studies at UNL, Dr. Zuercher attended the University of Iowa College of Dentistry in Iowa City, Iowa, where she graduated in June, 2008.

Dr. Zuercher recently moved to Sioux Falls and is excited to get to know her patients, as well as meet some new people from the area. She recently married Michael Zuercher, also originally from Pierre, on June 14, 2008. Dr. Zuercher enjoys spending her spare time with Michael, watching movies, reading, and likes to cook and bake. She has loved everything that has to do with dentistry since high school and is eager to work alongside Dr. Nichole Cauwels.

Dr. Zuercher is looking forward to meeting her patients, answering any questions about their dental health, sharing dental stories, and helping her patient’s achieve that beautiful healthy smile!

Torey - Hygienist

Torey was born in Sioux Falls, SD and has lived in the area for the last 15 years. She attended Roosevelt High School and graduated from the University of South Dakota with a bachelor’s in Dental Hygiene in 2004. She enjoys getting to know her patients and making each dental visit comfortable and a positive experience. Torey and her husband, Micah, enjoy camping, skiing, reading, and spoiling their dog, Marley.

Lisa - Hygienist

Lisa grew up in Clark, South Dakota. Clark is located about thirty miles west of Watertown. After graduating from high school she moved to Sioux Falls to obtain her bachelors degree in dental hygiene from the University Of South Dakota. She has been in private practice since May of 2006 and loves working with Dr. Cauwels and the rest of her staff. She enjoys dental hygiene because it is a rewarding career that makes a
difference in helping others. Lisa likes camping with her husband Troy, golfing, water skiing, and shopping with her sisters. It is Lisa goal to make her patients feel comfortable and relaxed during their visit to Designer Dentistry and Smiles.

Melissa - Receptionist

Melissa was born in Worthington, MN and raised here in Sioux Falls. She attended Roosevelt High School and graduated in 2002. Melissa graduated in 2005 with an associate degree in Child Development.

Melissa enjoys shopping, taking trips with her husband family, sporting events, being outdoors, and spending time with their son Lucas. She wants to make sure your dental visit is pleasant and looks forward to meeting each of you.

Lisa - Dental Assistant

Lisa was raised in Luverne, Minnesota and has lived in Brandon, South Dakota for the past year. After completing high school, she attended SDSU for 2 years and STI for her licensed practical nursing degree. Lisa is looking forward to continuing her education to become a dental assistant.

Lisa has been married to her husband, Mike, for 2 years. They have a son named Kasey, and two Shih Tzu dogs named Bailey and Charlie. Lisa enjoys spending her spare time with her family.

Jill was born and raised in Mitchell, South Dakota and just recently moved to Hartford. She attended the University of South Dakota where she graduated with an associate degree in dental hygiene. For the past six years she has been working in the dental field and recently joined our team in July, 2008.

Jill and her husband Matt have been married for two years and have a son named Stratton. In Jill’s spare time she enjoys traveling, shopping, cooking, and spending time with her family and friends. Jill’s goal is to make you feel comfortable in the dental chair and help you achieve a healthy and beautiful smile!

Kristin grew up in Adrian, Minnesota and has lived in Sioux Falls for the past 11 years. She attended The University of Sioux Falls where she played volleyball, sang in the women’s choir, and received a degree in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Development in 2002.

Kristin married her husband Dave in July 2008 and they have two children, Taylor and Brody. In her spare time she enjoys doing several things like spending time with her family, riding 4-wheeler, shopping, snuggling with their dog Mox, and attending their children’s events. Kristin and Dave are in the process of building their dream home and enjoys helping with this.

Kristin prides herself on customer service and hopes you enjoy your visit at Designer Dentistry and Smiles and leave feeling like you’re family.

Sam moved to Sioux Falls a few years ago from western Nebraska and joined Designer Dentistry and Smiles in June 2009. She recently graduated from Southeast Tech for dental assisting in May 2010.

Sam loves spending time with family and new husband Wade, their dog Sadie and ferret Bueller. When the weather is nice the newlyweds enjoy taking the Harley out for a spin.

Sam looks forward to meeting each patient and is dedicated to making each visit a pleasant one!

Chandra-Dental Assistant

Chandra was born and raised in Akron IA and recently purchased her first home here in Sioux Falls. She did her Dental Assisting Training at Western Iowa Tech in Sioux City, IA. She worked as a dental assistant for 2 1/2 years before joining us at Designer Dentistry. She loves visiting with patients and making them feels comfortable in the dental chair. Chandra enjoys spending time with family and her son Tucker. They enjoy spending time outside and visiting the zoo.